The third season of Eesti otsib superstaari premiered on September 6, 2009. The winner of the season was Ott Lepland. In Autumn 2008 TV3 announced that the third season would be postponed. The show was replaced by new show Eesti otsib lemmiklaulu (Estonia is looking for a favourite song). In June 2009 TV3 announced that the auditions for third season will start in August 2009. In July 2009, Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) announced that one of the judges, Heidy Purga, is not allowed to take part of that program. Purga is a director of ERR's radio station, Raadio 2. ERR explained that the decision was made, because there is a lot work to do in Raadio 2 at the moment and they will not allow Purga to take part in competitors program. Several days later TV3 announced new hosts and a new judge. The hosts for the third season are a Eurovision Song Contest-winning rockstar Tanel Padar and singer Ithaka Maria. Heidy Purga was replaced by singer Maarja-Liis Ilus. This season also produced representatives of Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest three times in a row: Robin Juhkental, who made the semifinals on the show, represented his country as a lead singer of Malcolm Lincoln in 2010; Getter Jaani, who finished in fourth place, sang for Estonia in 2011 and Ott Lepland, the winner of the season, had his turn in 2012 achieving sixth place in the contest. Five years later, Semifinalist Elina Nechayeva scored an 8th place at the Grand Finale of the contest.

Auditions

Auditions for 2009 were held in Pärnu (August 19), Rakvere (August 26), Tartu (August 29 & 30) & Tallinn (August 22 & 23) Only about 60–80 singers qualified to the Theatre round.

Theatre rounds

Theatre rounds were held on September 7 & 8, 2009 in Vene Teater (Russian Theatre in Estonia). 25 new singers qualified to the semi-finals.

Semi-finals

Twenty-five new singers qualified to the studio rounds: 13 female and 12 male. The studio rounds take place in two weeks. First week is girls' week and the second is boys' week. During the week two shows are taking place. In the first show all girls or boys are participating. The judges have the right to send one participant directly to the final. Among others eight new singers are sent to the second show. In the second show four singers are sent to the finals by televoters.

Girls' Round 1

Eliminated: Kristiina Freimane, Maria Alanurme, Liisa Orav, Anna Kutšinskaja ** Advanced to the final (Judges' choice): Kene Vernik**

Girls' Round 2

Eliminated: Kerli Kivilaan, Elina Nechayeva, Sabrina Abdullajeva, Liina Uibo ** Advanced to the final: Getter Jaani, Eliisa Kõiv, Anne Arrak, Birgit Varjun**

Boys' Round 1

Eliminated: Sten-Martin Saarest, Robin Juhkental, Kristen Kasuk
** Advanced to the final (Judges' choice): Anis Arumets **

Boys' Round 2

Eliminated: Karel Tallermaa, Beno Kudrin, Keito Kaljulaid, Mick Pedaja Advanced to the final: Marten Kuningas, Ott Lepland, Andrei Ozdoba, Jaanus Saago

Finalists

(Ages stated at time of contest)

Finals

Top 10: Pop-hits

Bottom three: Getter Jaani, Jaanus Saago, Anne Arrak Bottom two: Getter Jaani, Anne Arrak Eliminated: Anne Arrak No one

Top 10: Songs from TV show "Eesti otsib lemmiklaulu"

Bottom three: Andrei Ozdoba, Anis Arumets, Eliisa Kõiv Eliminated: Andrei Ozdoba, Eliisa Kõiv

Top 8: Songs from singers' birth year

Bottom three: Anis Arumets, Jaanus Saago, Kene Vernik Eliminated: Kene Vernik

Top 7: Love songs

Bottom three: Jaanus Saago, Anne Arrak, Marten Kuningas Bottom two: Marten Kuningas, Anne Arrak Eliminated: Anne Arrak

Top 6: Acoustic round

Bottom two: Getter Jaani, Anis Arumets Eliminated: Anis Arumets

Top 5: Dance & country songs

Bottom two: Birgit Varjun, Jaanus Saago Eliminated: Jaanus Saago

Top 4: Ivo Linna songs & current hits

Bottom two: Getter Jaani, Birgit Varjun Eliminated: Getter Jaani

Top 3: Song from mother's/father's youth & Duets

Eliminated: Marten Kuningas

Superfinale: The contestants' favourite & Christmas song & Winner's song

The superfinal of Eesti otsib superstaari was held on December 20, 2009, in Linnahall Arena, Tallinn. Both superfinalists performed three songs: a well-known Christmas song, their own favourite performance of the season and winner's song. The winner was chosen by viewers through telephone and SMS voting. Winner: Ott Lepland Runner-up: Birgit Varjun

Elimination chart